C138 The Arrest

Alicia was still fully focused on the workstation, comparing the footprint data with the defense system I had just started developing. The office was quiet except for the soft tapping of keyboards and the occasional paper shuffle.

Suddenly, she noticed my expression change. She looked up immediately. “Husband… what’s wrong?” But I didn’t answer. My eyes were fixed on my phone screen, scanning the sender’s name over and over again as if it would change. It didn’t. Samantha. My hand trembled. The phone slipped from my grip and fell onto the desk with a dull sound.

Alicia stood up instantly. “What is it?” I still didn’t respond. My mind had gone completely blank, overwhelmed by confusion and disbelief. Samantha…? She said she still loves me? She said I must not marry Alicia? A storm of thoughts hit me at once, one after another, until I felt dizzy.

Alicia slowly bent down, picked up my phone, and read the entire message. The moment her eyes scanned the words, her expression slowly changed. The message read, “Hi… I know you’ve moved on, but I still love you. I still see myself with you. The dreams we had, the plans we made, the love you gave me. I remember everything.” “I remember your promise that you would always be by my side… that I should never worry if you are there.”

“I regret everything that happened that day. If only you had come, or if you had told me you wouldn’t come… maybe we would still be together.” “I know there is Monica now… my child, the name we once chose together.” “Please don’t marry Alicia. Let me fix things on my side, and then we can come back to each other and complete our dreams.” “Without you, I am nothing. Please come back to me.” ..Samantha

Alicia froze completely after reading it. For a moment, neither of us spoke. She slowly lifted her eyes toward me. I looked back at her. Silence filled the room. Then I broke it. “Honey… can you do me a favor?” She blinked. “What?” “Reply to her message for me. I can’t think straight right now… and I don’t want to be rude. I know she’s hurting.”

Alicia stared at me for a second. “You trust me that much?” I nodded. “Yes.” Then I added softly, “And tell her something… Monica was her dream name. Emmanuel was mine.” Alicia hesitated for a moment, then slowly took my phone. She began typing. Her expression remained calm, but her eyes carried a hint of emotion.

Finally, she sent the reply. “Hello Samantha. Unfortunately, life waits for no one. You already belong to someone else. You are married now." "Monica was your name… I remember. But Emmanuel was my dream for my first child, so my first child will be Emma.” “Thank you for reminding me of your love, but our lives are now in different directions.” “The date for our engagement is already confirmed. Please take care of yourself and don’t be blinded by the past.” “Move on.”

She pressed send and handed me the phone. “See? It’s easy.” As she turned away, I instinctively pulled her closer and kissed her. This time… she didn’t resist. Instead, she placed her hands gently around my neck and deepened the moment. But suddenly. The door swung open. Josh rushed inside the office. He froze instantly. His eyes widened. “You two?!”

Alicia slowly pulled away from me, cheeks slightly red but smiling calmly. “Team Manager,” she said politely, “what’s wrong? Did my father contact you?” Josh blinked in shock. “How do you know that? Did you report me?” Then his tone sharpened. “You should be happy you got your chance with him. Why are you still targeting me?”

Alicia tilted her head slightly. “How can I target someone who can be bribed so easily into betraying his own daughter?” Josh’s face tightened. “If two million dollars made you act like this, I wonder what hundreds of millions would do.” She stepped forward slightly. “You always call Mike poor,” she said coldly, “but he is not greedy like you.” “He cannot be bought like your heart.” “I even wonder how you function in that family when everything about you is driven by money.”

Josh’s expression darkened. Alicia continued without hesitation. “I’m sure her marriage into the Gomez family had nothing to do with love… only business connections from Nava Blaze Jewelry.” I stood there silently, watching her defend me without even giving Josh a chance to respond. For a moment… I felt something warm inside. I hoped she would never turn her back on me.

Josh, now visibly shaken, asked again, “How do you know all of this?” Alicia smiled faintly. “Keep provoking my fiancé,” she said softly, “and you’ll find out exactly how I know everything.” Josh took a step back. For once… he had no reply. He swallowed hard, then turned away without saying what he came for. The room fell silent again.

Alicia turned back to me and smiled. “Husband… how was my performance? Do I deserve another kiss?” I nodded. “Definitely.” Just as we leaned in again... The door slammed open once more. Josh returned, breathless. “I came to say something important!” We both turned toward him. “Ben has been arrested.” My heart stopped. “And all involved parties are being called in for questioning.”

Alicia and I froze instantly. Without wasting another second, we rushed out of the office. Outside the building, chaos had already formed. Security personnel, police officers, and employees gathered around. And there he was. Ben. Handcuffed. Being escorted slowly toward the police van. His face was pale, expression unreadable. A crowd had already formed, watching silently.

A police officer approached us. “Mr. Smith, Miss Mooney… you are required for questioning.” We both nodded. And followed without resistance. At the same time… Sarah quickly called her mother. “Mom… did you report Ben?” Tracy paused. “What? Why would I do that?” “Mom, police just arrested him at the company. Everyone saw it.” A brief silence followed.

Then Tracy suddenly laughed. “He deserves it.” “If not for him, I would be sitting next to your father in a hospital bed right now.” She ended the call and turned toward Kelvin, who had just finished his porridge. “Husband…” “Our son has been arrested.” Kelvin froze. “What?” “Quickly… go and post bail!” Tracy shook her head firmly. “No.” “He deserves to face the consequences of his actions.” “His greed has blinded him for too long. He nearly killed you.”

Kelvin sighed deeply. “He is still our son…” “Yes,” Tracy replied firmly, “and that is exactly why he must learn the difference between family and crime.” Kelvin opened his mouth to argue again. But she cut him off. “If you insist on protecting him blindly… I will leave you alone in this hospital.” Silence followed. Kelvin lowered his gaze and said nothing more.

Chris immediately called me. “Brother… is it true? The cunning devil has been arrested?” “Yes,” I replied calmly. “We are at the station giving statements.” Chris laughed in disbelief. “So I’m actually going to eat lunch at the director’s office today?” I chuckled. “Why not?” Then I added teasingly, “Still scared of your girlfriend?” Chris scoffed and hung up.

His mind was racing. If Ben is arrested… Does that mean Sarah is safe now? Or worried? He quickly typed a message. “Angel, is our lunch still on?” And waited.